Cambodia Halts Sand Mining Near Turtle Sanctuary

kiripost

Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment has suspended a sand mining operation in Koh Kong province to safeguard the Prek Kampong Som river system and the nearby Luang turtle sanctuary. The decision, announced on 27 January, requires the company to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) before resuming work.

The suspension affects two firms operating on nearly two hectares of land in Sre Ambel district. Although the business holds a licence and has not yet caused pollution, officials said its proximity to a sensitive conservation area prompted precautionary action.

Khavy Atitya, a ministry spokesperson, explained: “The company has not contaminated the river, but we want to prevent and contain any spread first. Based on the geographical information and our inspection, we have temporarily closed the business.”

The ministry stressed that an EIA is essential to ensure protective measures are in place before operations continue. Environmental experts inspected the site on 25 January and confirmed that while water from sand piles was drained into a pit rather than the river, stricter safeguards are needed.

The sand business began operations in November 2025, dredging material to fill a pit around one hectare in size and 3.5 metres deep. Local authorities confirmed no pollution has yet been detected, but the ministry emphasised the need for preventive action.

The move comes amid wider efforts to strengthen environmental monitoring. Fifty companies and factories have recently signed contracts to install automatic equipment to prevent illegal discharges of toxic waste. A ministry report noted 79 pollution cases in 2025, ranging from liquid and air pollution to failures in waste management and regulatory compliance.

By halting sand mining near the turtle sanctuary, the government is signalling a tougher stance on environmental protection, balancing economic activity with the need to preserve Cambodia’s fragile ecosystems. The outcome of the EIA will determine whether the suspended operations can resume.

-2026-01-30